Epistles (second series)

Swami Brahmananda

XXVI
Salutation to Bhagavan Ramakrishna!
1894.
{original in Bengali}
Dear and Beloved {Swami Brahmananda},

. . . Well, do you think there is any religion left in India! The paths of knowledge, devotion, and Yoga all have gone, and now there remains only that of Don't touchism "Don't touch me! Don't touch me!" The whole world is impure, and I alone am pure. Lucid Brahmajnana! Bravo! Great God! Nowadays Brahman is neither in the recesses of the heart, nor in the highest heaven, nor in all beings now He is in the cooking?pot. Formerly the characteristic of a noble?minded man was Pleasing the whole universe by one's numerous acts of service" but now it is I am pure and the whole world is impure go and get money and set it at my feet. . . . Tell the sapient sage who writes to me to finish my preaching work here and return home, . . . that this country is more my home. What is there in Hindusthan? Who appreciates religion? Who appreciates learning?
To return home! Where is the home! I do not care for liberation, or for devotion, I would rather go to a hundred thousand hells, Doing good to others (silently) like the spring" this is my religion. I do not want to have any connection with lazy, hard?hearted, cruel and selfish men. He whose good fortune it is, may help in this great cause.
. . . Please convey to all my love, I want the help of everyone. Neither money pays, nor name, nor fame, nor learning; it is character that can cleave through adamantine walls of difficulties . Bear this in mind. . . .
Ever yours in love,
Vivekananda.

 

Epistles (third series)

XXVI
Salutation to Bhagavan Ramakrishna!
1894.
{original in Bengali}
Dear and Beloved {Swami Brahmananda},
. . . Well, do you think there is any religion left in India! The paths of knowledge, devotion, and Yoga--all have gone, and now there remains only that of Don't touchism--"Don't touch me! Don't touch me!" The whole world is impure, and I alone am pure. Lucid Brahmajnana! Bravo! Great God! Nowadays Brahman is neither in the recesses of the heart, nor in the highest heaven, nor in all beings--now He is in the cooking-pot. Formerly the characteristic of a noble-minded man was "iÇ-uvnmupkarïei[i-> àI[yNt> --Pleasing the whole universe by one's numerous acts of service" but now it is--I am pure and the whole world is impure--go and get money and set it at my feet. . . . Tell the sapient sage who writes to me to finish my preaching work here and return home, . . . that this country is more my home. What is there in Hindusthan? Who appreciates religion? Who appreciates learning?
To return home! Where is the home! I do not care for liberation, or for devotion, I would rather go to a hundred thousand hells, vsNtv‘aekiht< crNt> --Doing good to others (silently) like the spring"--this is my religion. I do not want to have any connection with lazy, hard-hearted, cruel and selfish men. He whose good fortune it is, may help in this great cause.
. . . Please convey to all my love, I want the help of everyone. Neither money pays, nor name, nor fame, nor learning; it is character that can cleave through adamantine walls of difficulties . Bear this in mind. . . .
Ever yours in love,
Vivekananda.

 

 

Epistles (fifth series)

CXXXIII
To Swami Brahmananda
The Math, Belur
Friday [March (?) 1899]
My dear Raja,
Please pay 100 Rs. to Sister Nivedita immediately for plague work and credit it to a separate plague account.
Yours affectionately,

Vivekananda

 

CLX

To Swami Brahmananda

[Swami Vivekananda sent the following cablegram to his brother-monk.]

[Postmarked: December 13, 1899]
Perfectly cured. Bless all. Vivekananda.

 

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